The Cubs still have to be disappointed in the Jose Quintana deal

The Chicago Cubs, on July 13, 2017, made a dealbreaker of a trade. They dealt outfielder Eloy Jimenez and pitcher Dylan Cease with two more players for Jose Quintana. Was it worth it?

The Chicago Cubs have to be irritated by the trade. A four-for-one trade, but two of the players weren’t worth it. They were a ‘throw-in.’ So how can a two-for-one deal for the Cubs be bothered by it? Keep reading. It’s an exciting story, to say the least.

Jose Quintana was a good pitcher. And Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease we’re coming into their own. End result? Quintana has a 33-23 record with a 4.23 ERA. Since joining the Cubs, he has gone up in ERA (3.74, 4.03 and 4.68.) But I got to say it; he’s been magnificent. He’s been averaging 32 starts for the last six years–33 in 2013.

Quintana has been a beacon for starts with the Cubs. But while Q’s ERA ‘drifted up,’ he was much better with the White Sox. He posted a 3.51 ERA there. So what gives? Well, Jimenez and Cease may be the difference in the equation.

Cease suffered a hamstring injury and had to be shut down. He was only to make one more start. Manager Rick Renteria held firm that he would not make a start for the season.

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“This was a really good season for me,” he said. “I didn’t necessarily perform how I would have liked to, but I learned a lot from it. So I feel excited for next year.” h/t Vinnie Duber, NBC Chicago

Cease only went 4-7, but he did have a SO/9 of 10.0. If he can get that HR/9 (1.8) and BB/9 (4.3) down a smidge? He would be excellent. And to be honest, he’s had time to heal–COVID-19, and all.

But the highlight of the deal was Jimenez. I’ll admit, I would have liked to see Cease stay in Chicago. He was an accomplished pitcher–and a starter at that. But Jimenez? Drats.

He hit 31 home runs and 79 RBI in 122 games. And he posted a slash line of .267/.315/.513 with an OPS of .828. He did strike out frequently, 134 strikeouts to 30 walks. Still, you’ll take that with 31 homers. And his oWAR (Offensive Wins Above Replacement) was a smidgeon above a point to his WAR (1.5 to 2.4.)

So all in all, the Cubs are pretty hot–even though Quintana been reliable. Jimenez has been clutch. And Cease shows signs of promise. And the ‘worst’ part? The Cubs haven’t to the World Series in Quintana’s three years.